The Succubus's Trap

What are you looking at?

Seeing Isabel suddenly open the window and look back, Emma asked with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

"There's a flower girl, she's so pitiful..."

Isabel turned around nonchalantly, her brow furrowed. "If it weren't for the Candle Holder Festival, she might have frozen to death."

Who cares?

Emma smiled and casually said, "Just an ordinary person."

"Ordinary people are important too," Isabel said earnestly. "Ordinary people are human beings too!"

Emma glanced at Yulia, who seemed a little angry, with some surprise, and then suddenly realized what was going on.

... Isn't that just as expected of Heracles?

Even though she never received a monarchical education, she was born with the demeanor of a true Queen.

—That Queen Isabel, I doubt she has any better qualifications to be a king than Yulia.

There's nothing we can do about it.

Emma harbors resentment because of the crow on Iver's shoulder that ruined her plans, and the person behind it.

If it hadn't interfered, Iver would have already been part of her collection by the time they met.

Aside from the brief moment she used the "Eye of Suggestion" to imprint the mark, Emma didn't use any proactive Extraordinary Ability throughout. This was her habit—for a supernatural being like her, skilled in mental manipulation, leaving no trace was the most important aspect of control. Leaving traceable clues meant a flaw had been discovered.

Subtle guidance that leaves no trace is better than mental manipulation that leaves a trace.

Now she's just manipulating others with her brilliance. She hasn't changed their essence or personality at all; she's simply inserted herself at the top of their list of people they like.

In this situation, you shouldn't go too far against the other party's wishes or cause them to develop clear hostility, otherwise you might temporarily lose control.

She actually suspected that Iver had also used this technique to break free from her control. However, Emma wasn't quite sure what she had said that had angered Iver.

But that doesn't matter—she'll never see Iver again anyway.

She believed that after witnessing his own power, Iver would certainly not dare to come to see her alone.

But he never imagined that if he brought people to see him, he would be digging his own grave.

Emma breathed a slight sigh of relief, shrugged, and continued, following "Yulia's " lead, "Then when we get back, you can give her some money. Do you have any, Yulia?"

"... No. I didn't bring any money with me when I went out."

Isabel paused for a moment, then answered in a slightly embarrassed voice.

She regained consciousness.

"It's okay, I'll give it to you."

Emma chuckled, opened her purse, took out a small stack of brand-new banknotes tied with a rope, and handed it to Isabel: "These are White Crown Coin that a friend gave me, but I haven't had a chance to use them. Give these One Hundred White Crown Coins to her so she can start a business."

"Mom is such a good person..."

Isabel looked up, her eyes seemingly sparkling.

Emma's face was full of bright smiles, but her heart was filled with a devilish sense of humor.

A young lady like Yulia would never know that a penniless person could be in mortal danger just by receiving a few silver coins.

Not to mention the One Hundred White Crown Coins.

According to Emma's understanding, the laborers on Glass Island can only earn a little over thirty White Crown Coin a year despite their hard work.

One "white crown" is equivalent to two hundred "Copper Hourglass," while a serving of roast beef costs only eight Copper Coin, the cheapest cup of coffee costs only one Copper Coin, and a pot of tea costs only two Copper Coin. A fish or an egg costs one Red Coin, which is ten Copper Coin. A house that can accommodate two people costs only one White Coin per month in rent.

She tipped out a full one hundred White Coin.

She wasn't ignorant of the value of money. Quite the opposite, she understood it very well.

For Emma, it was just a few dozen Stibium Gold Coins, barely enough to buy a couple of doses of Drunken Dream Tincture for a good night's sleep when she couldn't sleep well.

But for the poor, it was undoubtedly a huge sum of money—even if the flower girl knew it was dangerous enough, she would definitely accept it.

Although Emma didn't even glance at the girl, she knew the girl had no ability to protect this wealth. Otherwise, she wouldn't be wearing only a thin layer of clothing in the cold winter.

Yulia thought she had helped the other party, but this huge sum of money would undoubtedly lead to the poor girl's death. The money might even cause a small uproar, turning the poor and hungry into killing each other.

For Countess Emma, who was wealthy enough, it was like throwing a few pieces of meat to wild beasts and letting them tear each other apart and kill each other.

Perhaps they would normally remain rational... but Emma has arrived.

When she arrived at Glass Island, it was destined that the people of Glass Island would become irritable and lustful, turning them into wild beasts, unleashing their inner savagery.

Emma closed her eyes, and like a conductor, gracefully raised her arms, gently pinching her fingers, and swung her imaginary baton with rapt attention.

—Using Yulia's kindness as weapons and money, which brings happiness, as bullets, to create misfortune and death.

It drives people mad, reveals their bestiality, and leads them to kill each other... Nothing could be sweeter than this.

And when it's time to sacrifice Yulia later, we can tell her the truth. The anger and regret she feels then will be a delicious seasoning.

She even made a backup plan.

If Iver discovers her actions, then the trap she prepared earlier can come in handy...

This time, I won't let that annoying crow interrupt me.

Thinking of this, the succubus residing in Emma's body and her outward physical manifestation simultaneously raised the corners of their mouths.

Those curved eyebrows and smiling lips—they are exactly the same.

Meanwhile, Iver had already arrived at the Candle Holder Cathedral.

A very famous band in Avalon was performing enthusiastically on stage. As a result, not only was the Candle Holder Cathedral packed with people, but a large crowd had also gathered outside. There were also people selling things or entertaining themselves nearby, and it took Iver quite a bit of effort just to squeeze in.

The Candle Holder Festival consists of three rounds of hymns: at sunrise, at 9:00 AM, and at noon. Between the two rounds of hymns, locals are invited to perform, or a banquet is held. Avalon's entertainment level is slightly lower, but the Iris Candle Holder Festival is a grand affair, attracting top artists and featuring a very large scale.

Iver quickly found out where Bishop Mathers was and rushed in to find him.

He was still somewhat dazed when he entered the room.

Because the side room where Bishop Mathers rested was the same deserted Small Chapel where he and Isabel first hid and sang during their Promotion Ritual.

Happy New Year, Iver!

When Bishop Mathers saw Iver, he immediately smiled and said, "What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry? Did you lose your girlfriend?"

Have you seen Yulia?

Iver did not respond, but instead asked a question.

"Ah, I've seen him."

Mathers nodded, recalling, "About two hours ago, and then she left with her friend."

... Two hours? Iver's heart sank.

"Is her friend male or female? Do you know where they went? Do you know him?"

Iver pressed on.

"Oh dear," Bishop Mathers chuckled and waved, instinctively defending Emma, "it's Countess Emma, a very famous and important person. She'll definitely take good care of Yulia."

Do you know where they went?

"Iver asked again."

Seeing that Iver looked serious and seemed a little angry, Mathers shook his head helplessly and could only honestly answer, "I don't know either, I just glanced at it from afar."

He added, "But I don't think Countess Emma is a bad person, so don't worry. Yulia is also very happy; they're obviously quite familiar with each other."

"... Okay, then I think I know."

Iver nodded, ignoring Bishop Mathers's irrelevant and idiotic answer.

In any case, I'll go check out Lloyd's's headquarters first.

He's already wasted two hours; he needs to hurry.

I need to borrow the Grand Guardian's griffin— Fifth Level griffin, it shouldn't be so easy to control.

Before leaving the Small Chapel, Iver turned back and reminded him, "I seriously suggest that you pray to the candle clerk completely, asking the Holy Fire to purify your body and spirit."

"Oh dear, this child..."

Mathers watched Iver leave in a hurry and sighed helplessly, "The way you put it, it's as if I'm being mind-controlled by someone..."

But even so, he still offered a prayer to the candle keeper.